Smokeable Medical Marijuana Will Be Available in Florida Very Soon
This article chronicles the implementation of the smokeable medical marijuana that will be available in Florida very soon while Florida Marijuana Doctors are seeing an increase in patients. As expected, once applied to our human tapestry, smokeable medical marijuana has been subjected to some classic interpretations, with a strong promise of more to come.
Last week, the Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis announced that he has asked the Legislature to change Florida law to allow the use of smokeable medical marijuana. The governor also wants to limit the restrictions on who can grow and sell cannabis products. The new Agric Commissioner has plans to create a Director of Cannabis position.
It appears that the newly sworn-in Florida lawmakers are taking a positive approach to try to limit access to medical cannabis in Florida. The Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative which was passed in November 2016 which is also known as Amendment 2, gave patients the right to make use of medical marijuana if they have been diagnosed with a good medical condition. However, its implementation has been controversial. The 2017 bill which was signed into law, made it legal to access marijuana when in oil, pill, edible and vape form, but not to smoke it.
The state was sued over the smoke issue and lost, but was appealing that ruling. Last week DeSantis announced that he wants to drop the appeal and have lawmakers make it clear that patients can smoke medical marijuana. The governor directed the legislature to take action towards the implementation of the amendment and he said it has until 15th of March to do so before the appeal is dropped.
The Governor also announced that he wants to put a stop to ‘’vertical integration’’ for licensed cannabis operators in Florida, which requires marijuana operators to grow, process, distribute and sell products. Such a change would allow operators to be licensed manufacturers or growers.
The current law also limits the number of marijuana licenses and dispensaries. More than a dozen court decisions have ruled that the limitations are in conflict with Amendment 2. The Governor suggested he may also withdraw from addition lawsuits.
It’s not only DeSantis who wants quick action towards expanding access to smokeable medical marijuana. The Agriculture Commissioner announced that she wants to create a Director of Cannabis position in her department who will have the responsibility to oversee all the different parts of the medical marijuana program which is currently overseen by the department. Most of Florida medical marijuana industry is regulated by the Florida Department of Health.
The 2018 Farm Bill which was signed to law in December by President Donald Trump, classified hemp as an agricultural commodity which removes it from the federal controlled substances list. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration, making use of CBD oils as a dietary supplement or food additive is illegal.
Even though, the Florida legislature won’t be pushing for recreational use anytime soon, but the constitutional amendment is a possibility. The smokeable medical marijuana will be available in Florida soon, and it’s a welcome development.
If you are interested in getting started on your medical marijuana card in Florida, please contact our offices in today!